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was. I was just eight. After watering, my
back was so painful,” Hoc recalls. When
Hoc left for studying, his mum was left
as the only person to take care of over
3000 sqm of fields which took several
hours each time. His youngest sister is
suffering from mental problems and has
had to stop studying for treatment. His
brother, who is 15 years older, is a work-
er with a humble income because he did
not have chance to further his studies.
The young man has long taken his
responsibilities to the family serious-
ly; when he commenced his studies,
he also took part time jobs for Viettel
Group and the Military Bank.
While most 18 year old boys and
girls were excitingly celebrating their
successful entrance into university,
these two teenagers faced a quandary:
how to afford schooling in a big city
like Hanoi?
“I felt like I had landed at an im-
passe. I was very confused thinking
about the time ahead,” Hoc says. “How-
ever, the Swing for the Kids scholar-
ship came and was like a spotlight that
made my path brighter.”
It not only helped to reduce the
financial burden on his mother’s and his
own shoulders, but also was a source
of power and encouragement: “I will
never forget how the scholarship urged
me to try harder and harder.” In his
four years in university, he has made
outstanding achievements.
Phuong says that even though she
always tries to save money, it is hard
as living in Hanoi costs an average of
VND2 million per month: “When I knew
I had the scholarship, I counted a hun-
dred things my mum would not have to
do to earn that money for me. I could
count how many hours my mum could
rest feeling assured about me in Hanoi.”
Phuong has found some other fi-
nancial support, but Swing for the Kids
provides most help. “That allowed me
to take my first steps into university life
more happily and confidently,” she says.
Dinh Van Hoc gained the Swing
for the Kids scholarship for four con-
secutive years and Nguyen Thi Phuong
has gained the scholarship for the third
time. Scholarships are valued at up to
VND10 million.
Today, Phuong is thinking about
her future. “I am trying to convince my
mother that I should stay in Hanoi and
try for an NGO role. However, I also
want to be at home to take care of my
mum, who sacrificed her life and happi-
ness for us,” she says.
Hoc is excited to work in Hanoi.
“I am trying to get a job with HSBC
where I will have training. It is very
friendly and very professional. I’ve got
a Toeic certificate, and went through a
successful and smooth interview with
the foreign bank’s leader,” he says
confidently.
On both their faces I see the enthu-
siasm and fervour of those who have
many opportunities to choose from and
the ability to design their own future
– both things rendered all the more
special given the poor hand they were
both dealt early in life.
23
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GOLF IN VIETNAM
Above: At the Swing for the Kids golf tournament that raised money for the students
When I knew I had the
scholarship, I counted a
hundred things my mum
would not have to do to
earn that money for me.
NGUYEN THI PHUONG
I will never forget how the
scholarship urged me to
try harder and harder
DINH VAN HOC